Is It Normal for my Chickens to Kill other animals?

[flgardengirl]

I have seen my rescue Key West Rooster and his sons go after stray (and pet) cats that get too close to the hens. There were some strays toms that were apparently trying to hunt the free ranging hens and the roosters will not have it. They chase them down and spur them, several cocks will join in on this. The cats always run off. I can't really see the roosters actually killing a cat but who knows lol. They are small gamey type roosters but very brave (smaller than large fowl but larger than bantam and the hens are really small). Cats are one of the major predators of the Key West chickens on KW so maybe that's why these roosters developed such a dislike for them. It works out okay for me though since there are lots of strays around.

 

[mama24]

My cat is terrified of my chickens. I have seen them try to gang up on her before, but she always beelined for the door before they reached her and we let her back in. I could totally see my flock trying to gang up on a cat. I honestly can't see a cat not getting away, though, but I don't doubt the OP's story.

 

[DarthCluck]

I have White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds, and twice I've caught them killing and eating sparrows that get caught in their coop/run. I'm guessing it's a territorial thing. Don't really know why else they would, but I'm relatively new to chicken keeping, so I'm still learning.

 

[Kevin565]

I don't have chickens but my other birds have a tendency to kill finches for some reason

 

[Peaches Lee]

Wow, what an insane and freaky story. Sometimes my chickens will give a little staredown at my cats but everyone is respectful if not a bit scared of each other.